Northern Marianas lawmakers soften regulations on land ownership

Politicians in the Northern Marianas have softened the requirements for land ownership.

The CNMI House of Representatives has unanimously accepted that people need just 'some degree' of Chamorro or Carolinian blood in order to be considered of Northern Marianas descent and so able to own land in the territory.

Previously the requirement was for a minimum of 25 percent but this was considered unfair with many families not qualifying and so unable to pass on property to their descendants.